Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Originally printed in 1863 Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott recounts Alcott's service as a Union nurse in Georgetown in 1862. Published in installments for The Commonwealth newspaper, the author explains her decision to volunteer and details the hazards encountered during her journey from Concord, Massachusetts to the Union Hospital in Washington, D.C. Her portraits of fellow travelers demonstrate her keen skill observing and describing the social culture of her day.

After arriving at her duty station dubbed "Hurly-burly House" Alcott encounters the wounded from the Battle of Fredericksburg. She washes, dresses, feeds and pays vigil to a succession of soldiers during the next two months that include patients from both armies. Wards of 40 beds include both wounded and diseased. Alcott describes hospital staff, the crude medical instruments and the prevailing medicines.

She recounts her impressions of individual patients and their stories of gallant heroism and devotion to duty. She remarks about the camaraderie of men on the ward and their courtesy toward her. Before the end of her three month tour, Alcott contracts typhoid but stubbornly refuses to leave until her father arrives to escort her home.

The library's copy is available on Floor 4 in E621.A34. This edition, published by the University of California, Irvine in 2004 includes an extensive introduction by Alice Fahs, draws on documented primary sources to introduce the Alcott family, describes the historical period and elaborates on the roles adopted by women during the Civil War.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Karen McElmurray, is
greeted by Tim Wendel, writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University (left) and Gerry LaFemina, Director of Frostburg Center for Creative
Writing (right). McElmurray read portions from her work that focused on the
writer’s voice including a selection from Surrendered
Child: A Birth Mother’s Journey.

Award-winning horror author Michael Arnzen, who is also a tenured
professor at Seton Hill University, read both prose and poetry selections during
the evening. His newsletter http://www.gorelets.com
contains the poem Zombifurcation that he chose for one reading.
The Ort Library owns two of his fiction works: Grave
Markings and Play
Dead.